December 27, 2006 - 18:26 AMT
RA Defense Minister: I Have Right to Run for President and I Won't Abdicate from It
Armenian Defense Minister Serge Sargsyan considers he is entitled to run for President. As he told the RA Public Television, the Constitution provides him with the possibility to become a presidential contender. "I have the right and I will not abdicate from it," Sargsyan stated adding that the final decision on his participation in the presidential election in 2008 he will take after the parliamentary election in May 2007. The Minister also said that the presidential office is not an end in itself for him and this fact distinguishes him from the other contenders.

At the same time Serge Sargsyan voiced assurance that internal political situation in Armenia will remain calm. In his words, the parliamentary election will animate the political field however it will arouse no tension.